Gran Canaria is a beautiful island located in the Canary Islands, which is a Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa. This island is a popular destination for tourists and expats alike, especially for remote workers, digital nomads, and expats who are seeking a warm climate and a laid-back lifestyle.
If you are planning to move to Gran Canaria, you will need to learn some basic Spanish words and phrases to communicate with the locals. In this blog post, we will provide you with some essential Spanish phrases and vocabulary that will help you to navigate your way around the island.
Greetings and introductions
One of the first things you should learn when traveling to a foreign country is how to greet people. Here are some basic greetings that you can use in Gran Canaria:
- Hola: Hello
- Buenos días: Good morning
- Buenas tardes: Good afternoon
- Buenas noches: Good evening/night
When you meet someone for the first time, it is also important to know how to introduce yourself. Here are some phrases that you can use to introduce yourself:
- Hola, me llamo [tu nombre]: Hello, my name is [your name].
- Encantado/a de conocerte: Nice to meet you.
- ¿Cómo te llamas?: What is your name?
Ordering food and drinks
One of the best things about Gran Canaria is its delicious cuisine. If you are planning to eat out, you will need to know how to order food and drinks. Here are some useful phrases to help you with that:
- Quiero pedir [tu pedido]: I want to order [your order].
- ¿Qué me recomienda?: What do you recommend?
- Una cerveza, por favor: A beer, please.
- La cuenta, por favor: The bill, please.
Getting around
If you are planning to explore the island, you will need to know how to get around. Here are some basic phrases to help you with that:
- ¿Dónde está [el lugar]?: Where is [the place]?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el billete?: How much is the ticket?
- Necesito un taxi: I need a taxi.
- Estoy buscando [el lugar]: I am looking for [the place].
Emergencies
No one wants to think about emergencies, but it is always better to be prepared. Here are some basic phrases to help you in case of an emergency:
- Ayuda: Help.
- Llame a una ambulancia: Call an ambulance.
- Llame a la policía: Call the police.
- No hablo español: I don’t speak Spanish.
Exclusive community offer for learning Spanish
Live it up, Las Palmas! has great news for those who want to take their Spanish skills to the next level. We have an exclusive deal with ZunSún Academy, a local language school that offers online and in-person Spanish courses. If you sign up for their lessons, you will get access to their full online course, valued at €450, for FREE! This is an amazing opportunity to improve your language skills and learn more about the culture of Gran Canaria. To get more information, contact ZunSún Academy on their Instagram or reach out in #language-exchanges-lessons-events in Slack. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enhance your language skills and fully immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture of Gran Canaria!
Are you a remote worker, immigrant, digital nomad or expat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
Or are you a local professional who wants to connect with an international community? Join here! Besides a welcoming community, you’ll also get 10% discount on surf lessons, 10% discount on diving and access to more exclusive deals!
The Live it up, Las Palmas! community is using Slack as a communication tool. The Slack group is split up into different channels and is moderated actively, to keep communication simple and organized. It’s used to share events, find sports buddies, discover new restaurants, rent a car together, find exclusive community discounts and much more! Live it up, Las Palmas! is your starting point for an amazing time in Gran Canaria. See you there!